SHARING STORIES

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Monday, March 19, 2018

Leaving you is my wish
I have reasons for it
You are fulled of lies
Your mouth full of empty sweetness
You are so contradictional
Your promises are as empty as your heart
You never love someone
Love is just manipulation weapons
You never sacrifice for someone
All you cared just how much someone sacrificed for you
You think life is created for you
You never know being in pain
You are a liar
That word decribed you precisely
You burned all your promises to ashes
I prayed that one day
Life turned away its face from you
Then you will understand
The feeling of being fooled and hurt
I hope you get your karma
Because you made me live in lies
day after day
for the rest of my life..

One man died in the house after being injected insulin by his wife. Charles Hayward determined the killer before innocent people get arrested

Review:

Charles interview all peoples in the house to determine the killer of Aristide Leonides. After his wife being arrested, the house is in chaos, Charles himself in distress, because he feels his wife is not the killer. Eventually It was Josephine who killed Aristide because he refuse to pay for her ballet reasons. Josephine also faked the attack on herself and poisoned her nanny when she suspected her. Lady Edith read Josephine' notebook and want to spare his granddaughter life in psychiatric institution and save the rest of the family. Edith herself is diagnosed with cancer earlier, so she drives her car over the clifftop and quary killing herself and Josephine.

This is one of the best story by Agatha Christie. I always admire work by Agatha Christie. I started suspicious Josephine is the suspect after seeing his weird and too smart and critical behaviour as a kid.

This is a good detective film, the plot is good and easy to follow. I recommend this film if you liked detective or investigation film.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Ellen Langford has to deliver special Christmas card to her dad' former partner in Snow Falls, she has to do this in order to inherit her father' gift business.

Review:

Ellen Langford wants to show to her dad that she can be humbly live without her dad' grand facilities.
Her father was angry after seeing Ellen' party accidents which earned her as party heirness title. Her father asked her to go to Snow Falls to deliver special Christmas card in order to inherit the family gift' business. Ellen went to Snow Falls, the hometown she never knew just with $100 to meet Zeke, her father' former partner. Shortly after arrive at Snow Falls, she meet Jake, whom later they're fallen in love with each other. She find her love to Jake, she find him more understanding than her fiancee, Gray.

This story is pretty simple. I think this story is more suitable to be watched on Christmas season. I just watched it now because I am interest of the love story they're advertised. Actually the love story itself is pretty simple. Its just about Ellen found her love in Jake and they both finding happiness together. Jake made Ellen a better person than she thought she would be.

If you're looking for simple romance drama, this is for you. If you missed this film, you could save this film for this year' Christmas season maybe.

Now after playing amazing game Muv Luv Unlimited and Muv Luv Alternative, I would like to review about side story game which is also part of Muv Luv universe. It was Muv Luv Alternative Chronicles Vol 1 and 2. Actually there are 4 volume, but right now I will only review vol 1 and 2. At first I thought I will hate it. I mean I already love characters from Muv Luv game but I decide to give it a try. And the result was I am glad that I play it. It was really superb. I mean I cannot believe this is just side story game. Age (as Japan developer) should make this for another sequel actually. It was really that great, especially the part of Muv Luv Unlimited The Day After.

Well, since this is just side game, so don't expect full story here. In this game, there are several short side story. In vol 1, you get Muv Luv Unlimited The Day After vol 0, Rain Dancer, and Chronicles 1, and some extra like Wallpaper, Radio interview, etc. Muv Luv Unlimited the Day After tell story after Alternative V activated. 100.000 chosen person have migrated to another planet (to be honest we don't know their fate, we can only assumed it was successful). And the rest will try to live in the earth after military G-bomb all BETA hives. Unfortunately, because of massive G-bomb, there's bad side effect in which the sea collapse and many inhabitant area lose or become salty dessert. The situation is very bad. There are not enough food for everyone and resources are very limited. Even Canada and France are very angry with America for G-bomb the planet. Not to mention the worse, BETA is still alive.

Basically, in these several side story, you see the point of view from another pilot from another countries. It really expands your horizon. You get to know about orbital divers. Still I don't really understand the function of orbital drivers. Still it was an interesting read.

And I think the most interesting is in Muv Luv Alternative Chronicles 2. In this game you get the continuation from Muv Luv Unlimited The Day After. We see that the point of view have changed from US Marine into Japan that have lost their lands and have to depend on American. In this story, Instructor Marimo Jinguji have gone back into military and now have rank of Major. We see how she and her personal team (newly made wardog squadron) deal with internal politics in Japan. I really like her here. The story is quite good and interesting. Unfortunately, from what I know, the best part will be in vol 3 and 4 (cannot wait for that).

The second story is Muv Luv Chronicles Aspiration. The setting of this story is in Eurofront before Alternative V activated. Another character from Makabe house, Makabe Seijurou still a cadet was going to Dover Base in Britain to learn from the famous West Germany, Zerberus Battalion. At first, he is quite disappointed to know that the discipline is very lax in this famous battalion. He also thought that their skill is only above average with normal pilot TSF, until he see them in action to save another unit from BETA.

After playing all of it, I can see that Mr Koki Yoshimune is really very creative and thorough with his story. My hope is he and Age keep making these great games. I mean even though the main story is finished. This side story is very interesting. To be honest, I find the side story is more interesting than the main one because of its own tragedy for the whole world. But what attract me the most is Zerberus battalion. I mean I never thought that there are another great battalion that can rival special task force A-01, especially since most of its pilot are German noble. No wonder they have been called elite pilot of elite squadron.

Anyway, I really recommend this game for Muv Luv lovers. It has the same intrigue and feeling with the main Muv Luv game. The only reason I give this 9.5 stars instead of 10 is because it is not finished yet. I will change my rating after I finished the game. Because only then, I will feel this is complete and whole game.

Monday, March 12, 2018

A man is killed on the train and the famous detective Hercule Poirot who is on the same train will reveal the killer.

Review:

Mr. Ratchett was asking Hercule Poirot to be his bodyguard for the three day journey, which he declined. Later, Mr. Ratchett was killed on the train and Hercule Poirot determined to find the killer.

When I was a high school student, I started to read Agatha Christie novels. At the beginning of this film, I just know this is one of the Agatha Christie novels based on 'Hercule Poirot' name. As I remembered, Mr Poirot is Belgian detective who ocassionally showed his french language. He has best friend named Mr. Hastings, who helps him a lot for his cases. Poirot himself is famous belgian detective and solve a lot of complicated cases. I liked how detail and intuitive Monsieur Poirot when he read his suspects.

This film is good. the plot is good too. Yet, I don't like the ending of this film. I preferred one person suspect and blamed for the crime, as in its usual ending of his cases. This ending include so many peoples who actually be blamed for Mr. Ratchett' died. I mean one person's planning the whole scenario, still a lot of peoples did harm to Mr. Ratchett. The interrogation itself is bit rushed and not detail as in the novel.

I still recommend this film if you like Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie' novels. This will raise some sense of nostalgia.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Dominika Egorova was Russian ballerina, she had accident which caused ending to her ballet career. Later, she was approaced by her uncle Ivan, who works in Russian Intelegence. Ivan asked her to seduce Dimitry Ustinov. She need to replace his phone with state-provided phone, in exchange her mother medical bills will be covered. While Dimitry raped her, Dimitry was killed by Simyonov. Later, Ivan her uncle told her that he was intented to kill Dimitry Ustinov but there wold be no witness, he threat Dominika to work with Russian Intelligence or be executed.

Nate Nash is CIA agent operated in Moscow. While meet an asset in Gorky Park, Nash need to create diversion to help his asset named Marble to escape from detection. He later assigned in Budapest to regain contact with Marble.

Dominika is sent to Russian operative train school. She is trained to become sparrow, learning how to seduce her target. Dominika is assigned to Budapest to gain trust from Nash and reveal the identity of Marble.

After arrived at Budapest, Dominika lived with Martha, another sparrow. Dominika started make contacts with Nash. In the process, Dominika learnt that Martha had contact with Stephanie Boucher, a staff who works for US senator. Martha is assigned to gain information from Boucher. Dominika reveal this to her uncle Ivan during his visit and this makes Martha angry. Later, Dominika found Martha is brutally murdered by Simyonov to warn Dominika to protect Russian secrets.

Dominika offers her service to be double agent for CIA. Dominika is continued with Martha' task to meet Boucher and exchanged the supplied information for CIA-floppy disks. CIA operatives are sloppy while monitoring and approaching Boucher, which makes Boucher agitated and run to traffic, getting killed. Russian intelegence realize that Dominika has compromised their task with Boucher, they sent Dominika back to Russia to be tortured and interrogated. She repeatedly denied compromising Boucher and she convinced Ivan that she is now can be credited to liase with American as she is tortured but she did not reveal any information. She is later back to Budapest and meet Nash, she told him to help her with her mother to go to America.

She spent the night with Nash and wake up in the middle of night to find out that Nash's been tortured by Simyonov to get Marble' true identity. She at first work together with Simyonov but later killed the Russian operative to save Nash. At the hospital General Vladimir Korchnoi revealed that he is Marble. He offered Dominika to reveal this secret to her uncle Ivan to get the high-ranking position in order to replace him as Marble and to keep contact with CIA. Yet, when contacting her superiors to reveal the identity of the mole, she framed her uncle Ivan rather than betray Korchnoi. Ivan is killed by Russian side. Dominika get promoted.

Back home in Russia, while living with her mother, Dominika received phone calls from unknown person who played ballet music that she had listened during her affair with Nash.

Review:

I find this film is disturbing with sadistic torturing and unnecessary sexual scenes. Maybe I am not really into Russian-American spy agent life. I have to admit Jennifer Lawrence give her best performance in this film. She is really stand out from her previous characters in any film. I praised her bold acting to expand her sexual appeal in this film.

As a sparrow, Dominika is trained sexually and mentally to seduce her targets but I find that Dominika did not really used that "skill" to perform her assignments. When she's asked the bank staff to open bank account, she'd only asked him for a coffee and later when Martha asked about her approaches with Nash, Dominika revealed that Nash wasn't that "easy' type to be seduced. So I think basically Dominika used her brain more than her sexual appeal.

Based on the ending that Dominika is framed Ivan her uncle is because she feel hatred towards him. She felt because of him, she trapped in Intellegence dark world. Somehow I still confused why she preferred framed her own uncle to save General Korchnoi. I mean because of Ivan, Dominika is saved during her last torturing, the gunshoot threats as final death sentence. I believed some part of it, Dominika is saved because her uncle Ivan is working with Russian Intelligence. Well maybe she still feel that her uncle Ivan is the root of her own problems now. If her uncle helps her mother' medical bills sincerely without asking troublesome tasks, she won't ever join the Russian Intelligence. Thus she framed Ivan and get promoted in her career.

Basically, Dominika preferred to lived in Russia, in the country that she is praised for her loyalty and her work, despite her own heart. Truthfully said, she denied many things in her heart, like she betrayed Russian to help America (CIA). She is double agent for both Russia and America. Yet she preffered to stay in Russia, the country which praised her for her work, despite her betrayal.

This film has good plot and pretty intense. If you liked the secret agent life or Jennifer Lawrence' fans, I recommend this film for you.

Monday, March 5, 2018

This is the second time I play tour game. The first is First Trip To Japan (Go Go Nippon). And now Stay Stay DPRK. You will now why "Stay Stay" when you get one of the bad ending.

Well, to be honest, when I play this game. I feel a little strange because we were supposed to be American trips visiting North Korea and get cute military girl as our tour guide. More over sanctioned by North Korea government. Imagined that in real life. You'd think that America and North Korea are best allies. Still it was a parody. So, you should just enjoy it.

The story is quite short. I mean unlike First Trip To Japan. (disclaimer this game has no relationship with First Trip to Japan nor Devgru has relationship with Overdrive and MangaGamer). There's no DLC to enrich the story. The place we can visit is low. And there's nothing interesting there. Basically it was just beach, museum, studio, amusement park, etc). Still some place are more interesting than others especially Pablo. I laugh a lot here. It was quite funny. The hot spring is also nice. But I don't understand what's the matter with the strange woman at hot spring and karaoke. Is she lesbi or what, not clear.

Anyway, despite the comedy nature in this story. The ending is quite serious and sad, especially if you get the bad ending. It is very tragic. Even the good ending is quite tragic. I cannot say more without spoiling it. But no matter what, don't take it seriously.

The graphic is so so. It's not bad but I feel like it's old. Don't know why. The music also ordinary. Sometimes I feel the music hurt my ear. It was quite loud. Still it was quite an interesting and new experience for me visiting North Korea, even just in the game. It would have been much better if they add more substance to the story.

Overall, I recommend this game for people who want to play comedy game involving North Korea and funny girls.

Friday, March 2, 2018

It's been a very long time since last I read novel. Maybe around 6 months. For avid readers, it's really ancient. LOL. Anyway, I intend to read more often again since reading book is my passion. Now I would like to review another book from my favorite author Mr. Douglas E Richards. This book is Time Frame, the sequel of Split Second. You can read my review about Split Second in this blog.

Synopsis :

A daring attempt to go back a split second in time to destroy Kim Jong-un. A discovery so consequential it dwarfs even time travel. And a treacherous enemy bent on revenge.

Lee Cargill is the head of Q5, a secret organization that can send objects a split second back into the past. And while this seems utterly useless, it turns out to be the most powerful capability the world has ever known. Those who control it can transform civilization—or destroy it entirely.

When Cargill sends Aaron Blake, his most formidable operative, on an unauthorized mission to destroy Kim Jong-un, all hell breaks loose. As Blake battles for his life, his chances of thwarting the North Korean tyrant plummet. But they’re about to get far worse. Because China has learned of Q5 technology, and they’ll stop at nothing to hunt Blake down . . .

And all the while, a powerful enemy has reemerged. An enemy who seeks time travel technology to achieve a twisted, psychopathic vision that will leave millions dead—starting with Lee Cargill and the entire Q5 team.

Review :

First I want to say that I really hope Split Second make sequel. And my dream comes true when I see Time Frame. In fact it was perfect except for one thing. Now I regret for wishing the sequel. I don't know what happen. But I feel that this book is not like his writing. I don't know what's wrong but it just feel empty. Really empty. I find that I finish this book just for the sake finishing it. I gained no pleasure no sadness about it. The characters are not like their old self in Split Second. In fact it was better if they are new characters. Then no one will compare them. I cannot tell more without spoiling it. It really a disappointment.

I don't even know where to begin with the story. The opening is really good. Wonder where it gone wrong. I think the biggest mistake from Mr Douglas is using real characters and blend it with fiction story, worse with science fiction. You feel the credibility was outstretched beyond limit. No more the battle of wits. No more gray area. Instead we have a lot of plot hole and plot device. How to defeat the enemy ? Suicide attack. How to escape from the enemy ? Suicide attack. And I don't even know what the point of using Chinese characters when they were not involved in the main conflict. You'd think they play some role but I suppose it is what it is. Of course, it could be for another sequel. But at this point I doubt people will remember nor care about them.

Worse the romance looks cheap. I don't know how to say this but I feel sorry for Nathan. it feels like the girl say I love you but you are not macho enough so I also don't love you. It would be better if they broke up for good. Really leave the bad taste. I don't even want to talk about the bad guy. Talk about being cheap copies. Not living up to the expectation.

I know that I rant a lot. but it was because I really really have high expectations for this sequel. The strong point from every Mr Richard book is the capability to immerse reader in grey area and combined it with emotional story and science fiction theory. But there's none in Time Frame. It pains me to give this book low rating. Still Mr Douglas remains one of my favorite author. Hope he can make better book next time. I know he can do it.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

I thought I would like to review this game right now because I am free. Fyuh. Free is certainly quite nice. Not to mention the game is quite short so I finish it in one play. And I really mean it. It really is very short. Still I take what I can get.

Miniature Garden tell story about seven mystery that happen in school named Miniature Garden. Believe it or not. It was called like that because the school was located in the forest. It was very very isolated. And famous for its mystery. One of the most well known mystery is when you are trapped in the school at night after certain festival (sorry forget the name), you will turned up death in the next day. And straight to the point, our protagonist and some of his friends get trapped in the school. Don't ask me how. That just the way it happens. And so the mystery begin.

At the beginning, the game is very potential. I mean good characters, good graphic, good song, and good story. But, of course, the developer have to make bad ending to ruined everything. I don't know whether to laugh or cry with the way it ended. Nothing solved. I mean yes some of mystery were solved but it was not enough. I don't know how to describe my feeling. It was worse than ACE Academy ending. At least ACE Academy have good slice of life to support it. I don't know why MANGA GAMER choose to license it. The price really not worth it. I feel they try to emulate Higurashi but fail miserably. One of the good point is I really hope that someone will make the sequel one day to finish the story.

Anyway, my suggestion is get this game only if you want short mystery story that may or may not make you satisfied. I know for me, it was not. I doubt I will read another visual novel from this developer MUZINTOU.

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